Application of ITS at Railroad Grade Crossings

Rail-highway crossings confront urban areas with several challenges, which include safety and congestion. Many small and medium size metropolitan areas, especially in the Midwest region, were established along rail lines. The population growth, increase in traffic levels, and concentration of rail traffic along fewer lines further complicate these problems. In addition, rail lines block important links in the transportation network when trains are present, impeding traffic flow and, more importantly, emergency response teams. As urban areas face severe budget cuts and the demand for adequate transportation facilities continues to rise, high cost solutions to separate rail lines from surface roads may be infeasible in many areas. However, several advanced technologies under the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) have recently been developed to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and improve safety. This paper investigates the application of advanced detection, traveler information, and advanced signal control systems to reduce congestion and incidents at railroad crossings. The study uses a traffic simulation model, TRAF-CORSIM, to evaluate the most effective scenario using ITS to alleviate railroad crossing problems; the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area was used as a case study. A typical system layout includes a train detection system that triggers a “train present signal phasing” and provides information to motorists, through Variable Message Signs (VMS), to take alternative routes. The results of the simulation indicate significant improvements in traffic conditions under the proposed ITS scenario.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=271
• Corporate Authors:

  Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

  North Dakota State University
  1320 Albrecht Boulevard
  Fargo, ND  United States  581052
• Authors:
  • Schulz, Lance Allen
  • Smadi, Ayman
• Publication Date: 1998-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 102p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced traveler information systems; Automatic vehicle detection and identification systems; Case studies; Intelligent transportation systems; Railroad grade crossings; Railroad signals; Technological innovations; Traffic signals; Traffic simulation; Urban areas; Variable message signs
• Geographic Terms: Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01701534
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DP-123
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 8 2019 4:56PM